“Trying to communicate is worth the cost” is subjective, so I don’t know if I could give an example that would satisfy you. But I would suggest imagining one of the situations where someone is asking it insincerely in order to make it harder for me to speak, then imagine that scenario slightly changed so that the person asking it is sincere.
Professor: Let’s continue our discussion of sub-atomic particles. Top quarks have a number of interesting properties . . . . Student: Excuse me professor, could you taboo “atomic?” Professor: Get out.
In this situation, I think it is clear that the professor is right and the student is wrong. It doesn’t matter if (a) the student is a quack who objects to atomic theory, or (b) is asking in good faith for more information on atomic theory. (a) is an example of bad faith. (b) is an example of sincere but not worth the effort—mostly because the topic of conversation is sub-atomic particles, not atomic theory.
I’m just having trouble understanding a situation where (1) question is on topic (ie worth answering) (2) asked sincerely, but (3) not worth tabooing a technical term.
In short, deciding the appropriate topic of conversation is difficult, but beyond the scope of the original article.
“Trying to communicate is worth the cost” is subjective, so I don’t know if I could give an example that would satisfy you. But I would suggest imagining one of the situations where someone is asking it insincerely in order to make it harder for me to speak, then imagine that scenario slightly changed so that the person asking it is sincere.
Hypo:
Professor: Let’s continue our discussion of sub-atomic particles. Top quarks have a number of interesting properties . . . .
Student: Excuse me professor, could you taboo “atomic?”
Professor: Get out.
In this situation, I think it is clear that the professor is right and the student is wrong. It doesn’t matter if (a) the student is a quack who objects to atomic theory, or (b) is asking in good faith for more information on atomic theory. (a) is an example of bad faith. (b) is an example of sincere but not worth the effort—mostly because the topic of conversation is sub-atomic particles, not atomic theory.
I’m just having trouble understanding a situation where (1) question is on topic (ie worth answering) (2) asked sincerely, but (3) not worth tabooing a technical term.
In short, deciding the appropriate topic of conversation is difficult, but beyond the scope of the original article.